The scene of the Croydon tram crash looking over the Sandilands bridge (Image: Grant Melton)

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Tram drivers are voting on whether to take industrial action over what a union says is a "failure" to consult them on the introduction of a new device in cabs to detect driver fatigue and distractions following the Croydon tram crash.

Transport for London (TfL) is working with Tram Operations Limited (TOL), the network operator, on testing a "driver protection device" that will set off an alarm if a driver is distracted or falls asleep.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB), the body investigating November's tram crash, made a draft recommendation in August for all UK tram operators to "research into active means of detecting the attention state of drivers and intervening in the event of inattention".

In an interim report, the RAIB said the driver appeared to have "lost awareness" when approaching the Sandilands bend.

The proposed system has been used in the road haulage industry and uses infrared sensors and facial recognition to monitor the driver.

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A camera will start recording when activated by the sensors but will not constantly record, TfL said, while the system will sound an alarm. It is separate to another proposed device to slow trams down if they are over the speed limit.

While ASLEF supports new safety measures, it says it was not consulted on the plans originally and is balloting drivers until September 18 on whether to take industrial action.

However, TfL and TOL, which is a subsidiary company of FirstGroup, said each was in discussion with the unions and drivers about the device and how it will work.

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Finn Brennan, lead ASLEF officer for the tram network, said: "ASLEF are in dispute with TOL over their failure to consult on the introduction of a camera in tram cabs focused on drivers' faces.

"The decision to choose this system and start to install it without any discussion with staff or trade unions showed complete disregard for the views of their drivers.

"ASLEF want to see the introduction of new technology that can prevent accidents, but there is no evidence that the system Tramlink [the tram network's offiical name] are putting in would have done anything to prevent the terrible tragedy at Sandilands."

When the ballot closes, the ASLEF Executive Committee will then decide on what action to take. Mr Brennan added that he hoped the ballot would not lead to strike action and that the union was working to find a solution.

Industrial action other than drivers going on strike could include an overtime ban.

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Rory O'Neill, TfL's director of trams, said: "Since last November's tragic incident a number of additional safety measure to the tram network have been introduced, and we are currently working on further improvements, including testing a driver protection device that signals an alarm if a driver is distracted.

"First Group is in continuing discussions with both its drivers and the unions to get their views on its introduction.

"We are committed to improving safety for drivers and customers on the tram network and encourage the unions to continue working constructively with FirstGroup to do so."

A spokesman for TOL said it looked forward to meeting unions again soon. He added: "We are in ongoing discussions with both ASLEF and Unite's local representatives about their views on the introduction of this in-cab device, which is designed to improve safety by alerting the driver immediately if there is any sign of distraction."

The Advertiser has approached Unite to see whether it is considering industrial action.